Intelligence Oversight Working Group
The Intelligence Oversight Working Group (IOWG) meets twice a year and aims to
- strengthen cooperation among the participating oversight authorities,
- increase transparency between oversight bodies – within the boundaries permitted and in accordance with the standards set by national legislatures – to support international collaboration on effective oversight of intelligence and security services,
- exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices for oversight,
- provide a platform for developing new and/or more effective oversight methods, and
- maintain contact, share information, and provide mutual assistance, as appropriate, in accordance with the limitations set by national laws and regulations.
In November 2018, IOWG published a joint statement regarding the strengthening of cooperation between national oversight bodies for intelligence services. The statement can be read here.
Furthermore, in October, 2022, IOWG published its statutes. The statutes can be read here.
Participating organizations:
- Belgium: Belgian Standing Intelligence Agencies Review Committee
- Canada: National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
- Denmark: The Danish Intelligence Oversight Board
- United Kingdom: Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office
- Netherlands: Review Committee on the Intelligence and Security Services
- Norway: EOS Committee
- Sweden: The Swedish Commission on Security and Integrity Protection og Swedish Foreign Intelligence Inspectorate
- Switzerland: Independent Oversight Authority for Intelligence Activities